Shaky emergency procedures
MANY Wellington businesses are not prepared for an earthquake.
While most central city businesses have an emergency procedure, few have proper emergency supplies.
“A few years ago we had a kit, but since then we’ve really let it slip,” says Iko Iko owner Thomison Bollinger.
“The quake in Christchurch is one of those freaky things, it’s a wake up call to get prepared. Like most Wellingtonians we’re surprised it wasn’t us.”
While many retailers say they are planning on restocking their rations at home, they have next to no emergency stores at work.
Café owner Sam Irvine says in the wake of last week’s quake he will be revising his earthquake plans at home, but doesn’t have any specific supplies for his café on Courtenay Place.
“It’s not something you hold at the forefront, until something like this [earthquake] happens,” he says.
Wellington Emergency Preparedness Manager Fred Mecoy says it is essential businesses have emergency supplies such as water, food and advises people to own a good pair of walking shoes.
This is because the biggest issue the central city could face if a quake were to happen is isolation – supplies in and out of the CBD would be likely to be cut off.
Long term, this could have severe economic effects as most businesses would not be able to trade. Short term, it could mean a long walk home.
In what might seem a logical move, many people also say running outside would be the first thing they would do in an earthquake.
“I’d be outside pretty quickly,” says Pollux café’s Eddy Kennedy.
Kennedy says the Opera Theatre next door to Pollux has several exits and believes it would be quite hard to become trapped inside the building.
But Wellington City Council guidelines for earthquake procedures specifically state not to go outside if one takes place.
“Considering what happened in Christchurch with the showers of glass [and falling bricks], that’s definitely not what’s recommended,” says Wellington Civil Defence Controller Mike Mendonca.
Mendonca says the standard procedure should be stop, drop and take cover in an earthquake.
He says having a plan and knowing what to in the event of an emergency, is the most important way businesses can prepare.
“My worst nightmare is if something were to happen on a Friday night or Saturday morning, imagine all the people who would be in the CBD.
“If people are prepared, that makes my job a lot better,” says Mendonca.
Civil defence suggests residents and businesses get to know their neighbours, as 90% of people rescued in the first hour of a civil emergency, are found by their neighbours.
Hannah Spyksma
While most central city businesses have an emergency procedure, few have proper emergency supplies.
“A few years ago we had a kit, but since then we’ve really let it slip,” says Iko Iko owner Thomison Bollinger.
“The quake in Christchurch is one of those freaky things, it’s a wake up call to get prepared. Like most Wellingtonians we’re surprised it wasn’t us.”
While many retailers say they are planning on restocking their rations at home, they have next to no emergency stores at work.
Café owner Sam Irvine says in the wake of last week’s quake he will be revising his earthquake plans at home, but doesn’t have any specific supplies for his café on Courtenay Place.
“It’s not something you hold at the forefront, until something like this [earthquake] happens,” he says.
Wellington Emergency Preparedness Manager Fred Mecoy says it is essential businesses have emergency supplies such as water, food and advises people to own a good pair of walking shoes.
This is because the biggest issue the central city could face if a quake were to happen is isolation – supplies in and out of the CBD would be likely to be cut off.
Long term, this could have severe economic effects as most businesses would not be able to trade. Short term, it could mean a long walk home.
In what might seem a logical move, many people also say running outside would be the first thing they would do in an earthquake.
“I’d be outside pretty quickly,” says Pollux café’s Eddy Kennedy.
Kennedy says the Opera Theatre next door to Pollux has several exits and believes it would be quite hard to become trapped inside the building.
But Wellington City Council guidelines for earthquake procedures specifically state not to go outside if one takes place.
“Considering what happened in Christchurch with the showers of glass [and falling bricks], that’s definitely not what’s recommended,” says Wellington Civil Defence Controller Mike Mendonca.
Mendonca says the standard procedure should be stop, drop and take cover in an earthquake.
He says having a plan and knowing what to in the event of an emergency, is the most important way businesses can prepare.
“My worst nightmare is if something were to happen on a Friday night or Saturday morning, imagine all the people who would be in the CBD.
“If people are prepared, that makes my job a lot better,” says Mendonca.
Civil defence suggests residents and businesses get to know their neighbours, as 90% of people rescued in the first hour of a civil emergency, are found by their neighbours.
Hannah Spyksma
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